I'm back! ...is what I would like to say but now that I recovered(about 90% actually) I have to deal with the after effects. I'm working overtime to make up for the lost time and a lot of other things from my personal life are still a mess. I won't take five weeks to update again, but I won't be able to keep my "one week, one chapter" updates. Once again, I'm sorry for the delay.

"Mahouka" - speech

Mahouka - time/place

(Mahouka) - thoughts

Chapter 3

Yotsuba Residence, one day before Mayumi and Lina received the news

"Is that really true Toushu-sama?!"

"Your voice is a little too loud, Ayako-san."

"M-My deepest apologies!"

"It's okay, I understand how you must be feeling, you looked so sad and shocked when I announced that Tatsuya-san and Miyuki-san were engaged to each other after all. It must have been just so shocking to be told you have no chance, then suddenly receiving that chance, though with some catches."

"To-Toushu-sama!"

"It's fine, Ayako-san. I asked Hayama-san to leave us, so we can have some girls talk. You also don't have to worry about Mitsugu-san for now, I will personally speak with him later. Oh, though getting Ayako-san and Fumiya-san to cooperate would be good as well. I mean, you want to help me convince Mitsugu-san, don't you?"

"N-no-! I mean yes…!"

"Now, now. Ayako-san, you don't have to hide it, unless… Was I wrong about you? That's a shame then, I'm sorry to have wasted your time, Ayako-san. Even after Tatsuya-san and Miyuki-san said they agreed. Let's just pretend this engagement talk never happe-"

"W-Wrong! I mean, Toushu-sama was not wrong at all! ...Ah."

Maya was clearly teasing Ayako, just to get her to spill her true feelings. Not only was this a delicate subject for Ayako, but she was also still affected by the initial shock of being told that she could marry Tatsuya. Because of that, Ayako completely fell for Maya's little prank and only realised it after the fact. Trying her best to stay calm, Ayako decided to move on with her questions.

"...Toushu-sama, is that really true? About Tatsuya-san..."

"Yes, both Tatsuya-san and Miyuki-san gave their approvals for this plan, including for your participation in it."

"!"

"But then again, I still have to ask you, Ayako-san. What do you have to say about this? Unlike Mayumi-san and Angelina-san, you weren't in the original plan. While I said that I will have a word with Mitsugu-san, I still haven't heard your thoughts. To put it simply, I want to hear it from your mouth, Ayako-san. While I do have a certain grasp of your feelings, if you don't speak for yourself and show me your determination, I won't be able to help."

"..."

Ayako guessed that Maya was already addressing her future daughters-in-law by their first names, though that was irrelevant to her current situation. It was indeed nothing short of a miracle that Ayako got 'gifted' this second chance. But reality is harsh, of course this chance would not come for free, it required Ayako's cooperation in dealing with Mitsugu.

Ayako knew how much her father disliked Tatsuya, though she never understood why and he never bothered explaining it either. While Ayako didn't want to believe that her father could hate someone without a good reason, she knew, even if just by instinct, that Mitsugu most likely did not have a good reason for his hard-to-understand behaviour towards Tatsuya. As such, she still approached Tatsuya, despite her father's protests. But actually opposing him by saying she wanted to marry Tatsuya, not only that, but with her being one among more girls marrying Tatsuya, was just unthinkable. She didn't doubt for a second that her father could actually snap and aim for Tatsuya's life. That was something she couldn't allow to happen, not for Tatsuya, but her father's sake. Ayako already took dangerous missions together with both Mitsugu and Tatsuya, this only strengthened further her belief that if the two of them fought, Mitsugu would die for sure.

"...Toushu-sama, if you said that having Fumiya's help would be good, why is he not here?"

"As I said before, right now we are having some girls talk, so it's just between us girls. Regardless of how much Fumiya-san looks the part. Or could it be that you feel more confident with your brother by your side?"

"...I wouldn't go as far as to call it confidence."

Somehow, Ayako was not retorting the fact that Maya was calling herself a 'girl'. Maya was hardly at an age that could be said to be young. Her behaviour though, was definitely younger than her age and her position would suggest, her dignity as Clan Head was non-existent at the moment. Right now, she was just Maya, a mother speaking with her maybe future daughter-in-law. Ayako guessed that Maya was only acting like this because she believed Ayako was going to accept this plan. If her plan worked, Ayako would also become her daughter-in-law, if she became her daughter-in-law, such formalities would not be necessary when in private.

"If Toushu-sama is going that far, then stalling is useless. Toushu-sama, you are not asking me whatever I love Tatsuya-san, you are asking if I like him enough to challenge my own father, is that correct?"

"Fufu. Indeed. I don't intend to and never intended on meddling with your personal affairs Ayako-san. But at this point in time, I, personally, believe it's useless to even ponder if you have feelings for my son, just as it was with Miyuki-san."

"Haha...While I understand that I wasn't exactly good at hiding it, putting me at the same level as Miyuki-oneesama hurts a little. I don't think I was that bad..."

"Oh my, I'm not saying Ayako-san was fawning like Miyuki-san. I'm just saying it was still pretty clear. Given your history with him, it's not exactly an uncommon development either. He did save you on some missions and it was thanks to him that you have your place at our clan as Kuroba Ayako."

Hearing this, Ayako felt somewhat nostalgic. The one who gave advice about how to use her magic was Tatsuya. If he didn't, Ayako would most likely never learn to use her magic properly and maybe she would be just a failure in the Yotsuba. Ayako could still remember some childish thoughts from that time. She was a little jealous of Miyuki that spent a lot of time with Tatsuya since they were siblings, but she also felt relieved since they were supposedly related by blood. Pushing away her nostalgic feeling, Ayako decided to focus on this, maybe, most important moment of her life.

"Toushu-sama, we got a little side-tracked. May I ask again why was Fumiya not called? I mean, Toushu-sama was serious earlier, right?"

"While I did believe that it would be best for this conversation to be only between women, the real reason was as I said before, I have to test Ayako-san's resolve."

"?"

"I'm aware that Ayako-san is not nearly as dependent on Fumiya-san as Miyuki-san is on Tatsuya-san but you are still always together. If Fumiya-san were here, would he not push you forward? Saying things like, 'this is your chance Nee-san'?"

"That is…"

"If Ayako-san agrees to my proposal, then you will have to oppose Mitsugu-san. At that time, Fumiya-san and me, will definitely support you, but I wish to see my future daughter-in-law taking the first step by herself."

Ayako froze for a second. She never thought about it but Maya was not wrong. While Ayako was the big sister, at moments like these she was the one that relied on Fumiya. And now, that support was taken away. Surprisingly though, Ayako was not panicking.

(Toushu-sama is testing me, even though she has faith that I will do as she predicted. I'm sure she did the same to Miyuki-oneesama and Tatsuya-san. There's no way Miyuki-oneesama likes the idea of sharing Tatsuya-san and Tatsuya-san would not go against Miyuki-oneesama's wishes. Despite that, they both agreed to this, they were determined to go along with this plan to assure their future.)

Ayako loved Tatsuya, that was already set in stone. Ayako remembered it clearly, the despair she felt when Maya announced that Tatsuya was engaged to Miyuki, even though she knew she shouldn't show her emotions in a place with so many important figures from the Yotsuba, she couldn't hold it and cried in the middle of that crowd.

There's no way Ayako will ever let a chance like this pass. Ayako knew better than anyone, if she let go of this last chance, she will definitely regret it. Everytime, she will look and see Tatsuya together not only with Miyuki but other girls as well, while she can just watch from a distance, there's no way she will be able to bear it. The only problem was her father, she was afraid of losing him, or rather, losing her connection to him.

(Even if Fumiya and Toushu-sama tries to soothe Otou-sama, even if we can avoid a fight between Otou-sama and Tatsuya-san, I'm afraid that Otou-sama will never look at me in the eye again. I don't think Otou-sama will come to hate me like he hates Tatsuya-san, but a 'wall' will definitely be there. Everytime he talks and looks at me in the future, it will be like a wall was formed between us. I don't that!)

"Toushu-sama, I really want to accept but...I don't know what to do after that. I don't want to lose Tatsuya-san or Otou-sama, but even if we all try to convince him, I can't imagine Otou-sama accepting this."

"Well, Mitsugu-san is part of the old generation of the Yotsuba, after all. They all feel guilty about Tatsuya-san's origins, even if they are just being stubborn about it."

"Tatsuya-san' origins?"

"Only the leaders of each family and some of the older servants are aware of what happened during Tatsuya-san' birth. But to convince Mitsugu-san of this engagement, you need to know about his reasons to hate Tatsuya-san. It's just, you can't tell anyone about what you are about to hear Ayako-san, not even Fumiya-san."

"...I understand. If it will help me understand Otou-sama, I swear I won't tell a soul about this."

"Very well then. Do pardon me, as I always get a little emotional when I remember that time."

"*gulp*"

"After the incident with Dahan, the Yotsuba started to desire the power to repel any enemy and to protect their clan members. At that time, we all placed our hopes on Nee-san's child that was about to be born. While I don't have definite proof, I know for a fact that we influenced Tatsuya-san, even if just on a spiritual level, and he was indeed born as the child we all desired."

"...!"

(So that is why Toushu-sama claimed Tatsuya-san as her son. She wasn't just making sure Tatsuya-san would have his place in our clan, she really believes that he is her son and not Miya-sama's.)

"Aside from mine, the happiness and joy from our clan did not last. As soon as Tatsuya-san was born, the family heads started to regret their ambitions and wondered if they should kill him."

"But that is…!"

"Rather unfair, right? Even foolish, I dare say. But let me resume the story, it is not over yet."

"...My apologies."

"Because there was some objection, it was instead decided to make that child become a guardian. Miyuki-san was born to seal his power and Nee-san used her magic to erase Tatsuya-san's strong drives. Despite all of that, people like Mitsugu-san were never satisfied. They insisted that Tatsuya-san was too dangerous, but deep down they were just feeling guilty over their own mistakes and pushing it all on him."

"!"

"Do you understand now, Ayako-san? Since the beginning it was always Miyuki-san for Tatsuya-san, not the opposite like everyone thought. And your father, do you understand now why he goes so far to reject Tatsuya-san's existence?"

"...I..."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Do you need sometime to take it all in, Ayako-san? I tried to make the story short but maybe it was still too much?"

"...I don't..."

"Ayako-san?"

"I don't understand! In the end, it was just like it always is! Tatsuya-san didn't do anything wrong but he still gets blamed for everything! He fought and bled for a clan that never brought anything but suffering to him, but why do they still refuse to acknowledge Tatsuya-san?! Otou-sama as well, they are just making Tatsuya-san the villain when he was the victim, the one who suffered the most despite having done nothing to deserve it!"

Ayako let out all of her feelings and frustrations accumulated from all these years of observing Tatsuya being belittled, without holding back. Even if the clan head was right in front of her, she couldn't hold back that outburst, not after listening to the excuses her father and the others used. Ayako's eyes were full of tears, but still maintaining their intensity.

"Huhuhu! That's right, Ayako-san. That is just how this world is, even inside our own clan. If you hesitate and miss your opportunities, your happiness will be taken away by someone else, regardless of whatever there was a reason or not. You have to make your move if you want to ensure that the world won't be able to steal your future."

Maya almost seemed like she was trying to infect Ayako with her mad view of the world. While she did not desire to make Ayako suffer as much as she did, she still wished to see more family members whom she could share her twisted thoughts.

"...Toushu-sama, I will do it. I will rise against Otou-sama and I will make him recognise he was wrong. Not just for Tatsuya-san, but for Otou-sama himself. He is always struggling against Tatsuya-san and never accepts his help even in harsh situations, he is just making his life harder than it has to be."

"That is wonderful Ayako-san, but please keep in mind that my main goal is to make sure Mitsugu-san won't be able to interfere with the plan. Certainly, making Mitsugu-san stop his prejudice against Tatsuya-san would be nice but, as his cousin, I recognise that is no easy feat."

"It's fine, Toushu-sama. I don't intend to make Otou-sama and Tatsuya-san become friends, I just wish to make Otou-sama stop trying to turn Tatsuya-san into an enemy."

"Indeed, let's not dream of what cannot be achieved but instead focus on what can be. Ayako-san, I will call Mitsugu-san and Fumiya-san tomorrow so that we can explain the plan."

"Wouldn't it be better to call Fumiya first?"

"I'm pretty sure you know how your brother will react to this news. His reaction will be positive to us and, even if Mitsugu-san understands how Fumiya feels about this, seeing it with his own eyes will be something like a shock therapy."

"Reaction, huh?"

(I can just imagine it. As soon as his initial shock fades he will go 'Congratulations, Nee-san!' or something like that.)

"Well then, this will be all for today, Ayako-san. Please get a good night of rest, my dear future daughter-in-law."

"...I wish you the same, my soon to be mother-in-law."

On that night, Ayako had the most pleasant sleep in a long while. However, she had no dreams that night. She didn't need them though, as her biggest dream was about to come true.

Important: I already created a poll about the Erika situation on my profile. Please vote and accept whatever results come out.